*The man they call Slim saunters out and raises a single arm to the crowd and they let out a huge roar of approval. The Sass men look concerned as Slim casually and confidently approaches the ring. Slim grabs the middle rope and pulls himself up to the apron and into the ring. El Hijo Del Sass comes at him first and gets a right hook to the midsection for his trouble. Jean tries his luck, Slim catches him in a body slam position and throws him at the ropes, watching him bounce off and onto his head. El Hijo is in a corner; Tamer gets in the opposite one and asks Slim to whip him at Hijo. Slim complies; Tamer goes running and hits a clothesline with his feet going through the middle and top ropes, landing him on the apron. El Hijo falls forward rolls into a prone position before the same turnbuckle; Evan runs in to the corner, gets to the second rope and hits an elbow drop. SCX is on the top of the adjacent turnbuckle and he launches himself at Slim. Slim catches him in midair, up to the shoulders, HUGE Samoan drop on SCX. Jean Sasseau tries to attack Slim, his blows to the back have little effect. Slim turns slowly, claps his arms around Jean, belly-to-back suplex! The clock reaches zero, the buzzer goes off and the lights go out save for a spotlight on the entrance ramp. An entrance video that merely says WVW Civil War flashes across the screen of the tron.*

A mysterious voice appears over the loudspeakers. “In the WVW Civil War I

*The mysterious, legendary WVW figure makes his entrance, the lights only returning to normal upon his arrival at the ringside area. Hunter enters the ring and laces Evan with a chop, Tamer tries to come to his aid and takes one himself. Goober is up next, throat thrust for him, and one for Slim for good measure. SCX holds up his hands in surrender and says “I’m with you Hunter Goldust!” Hunter stops in his tracks, seems to contemplate the offer for a second, offers his hand for a shake…kick to the guts by Hunter, grabs SCX for a reverse DDT and hits it. Hunter gets to his feet and Bob is in his face. Two legends of WVW going nose to nose, Hunter throws the first shot, Bob gives him one in return and they go smack for smack for a bit. Hunter Golden gains the upper hand and pushes Bob back into the ropes. He tries to roll Bob out, Bob holds on, Slim tries to save him by pulling Hunter Goldust off, Hunter turns his focus on Slim, nailing him again and again until Slim is against the opposite ropes. He enlists Jean and El Hijo to help him and the three are able to navigate Big Slim over the top rope and out.*

*Before anyone gets too excited, Evan and Tamer go after the Sass men and try to throw both of them at the same time, Jean Sasseau is able to hold on from Evan’s attempt, but El Hijo is sent flying to the safety mats.*

*Redford Yellowsmith knocks Evan off balance and forces him to a corner, trying to get him out. Evan is fighting back. Tamer is now occupied with Hunter Goldust, Bob is helping Tamer out. Morrison is trying to get the blinded SCX out. Jama is laying low in an otherwise empty corner and taking a breather. Jean Sasseau sees Jama just chilling and starts stomping him in the corner. Clock hits zero, time for the next entrant.*

*Entrant 24: MR. L.K.*

*The New Zealander import clad in black gear stops on the top of the entrance ramp and does a haka dance to go with his entrance. The crowd appreciates the effort and L.K. darts to the ring to join the action. Jean Sasseau is the target of his attention off the get go and they start trading blows, leaving Jama to rest again. Mr. L.K. is letting out a big shout with every strike he lands on Jean Sasseau, he looks over his shoulder at Tamer who has Hunter Goldust occupied in the opposite corner, he tells him to whip Hunter, Tamer whips him as L.K. whips Sasseau, they collide mid ring! They tumble backward into the same two men, atomic drop for each of them and they tumble into one another for a second time and go down. High five between L.K. and Tamer and they go to Evan’s aid as the buzzer goes off.*

*The Lights drop yet again. The strains of Requiem for a Dream start playing. A single spotlight on the entrance ramp, a silhouetted figure emerging from seemingly nowhere, why it has to be:*

*Entrant #25: CAPTAIN SASS*

The Captain has a microphone to hand. “Thy gladiators in the ring shall henceforth bow down before the insatiable might of Captaaaaaain SAAAAASSSSSSSS!”

*Cap drops the mic and marches down to the ring. He hits it with force, throwing a huge forearm smash to take down Tamer. L.K runs into a discuss punch and goes reeling back into his corner. Captain Sass helps up Jean Sasseau and tells him “Watch and learn, young pupil.” Captain Sass grabs Redford Yellowsmith by the head and trunks and tosses him clear of the ring.*

*SCX manages to kick Morrison off and seems happy with himself for having survived the elimination attempt, but his smile is wiped off his face by a massive clothesline by Captain Sass that sends him flying out of the ring.*

*Captain Sass turns about just as Hunter Goldust sends Bob onto the apron right beside him. Captain Sass runs through them both with a double clothesline. It sends Hunter Golden to the canvas, but Bob falls all the way to the safety mats.*

*The crowd breaks into a hardy round of boos upon the elimination of Bob. The tension settles over the arena like a fog and the crowd are clearly upset. The commentators mention that Bob came in at the twelfth spot and lasted until the twenty fifth entrant was in and was the seventeenth elimination, calling it a very respectable performance.*

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*It’s Morrison taking a beatdown from Jean Sasseau and Captain Sass as the buzzer goes off for the next entrant.*

*Entrant #26: QUINN*

*Quinn emerges on the ramp in an excited mood, he spins his hand in the air and leads the crowd in saying “Quinn Spin!” He rushes to the ring, hops onto the apron, springboards off the top rope and hits a spinning cross body onto all three men in the middle of the ring. They all go down as Quinn spins his hand and shouts “Quinn Spin Kick!” He bounces off the ropes, comes back at a dazed Hunter Goldust and hits a spinning wheel kick. Jean Sasseau is leaning in a corner, Quinn spots him and looks to the crowd, yelling “Quinn Spin Senton!” He runs toward the corner, and hits a rolling senton into the prone Frenchman. Jean goes down, Quinn spots Captain Sass, mounts the second turnbuckle and jumps for a flying elbow smash, but Captain Sass is ready and hits a vicious European Uppercut on an airborne Quinn. He is sent tumbling to the canvas.*

*Hunter Goldust is up again and he goes face to face with Cap Sass. “This is my ring, Captain.”*

*"I do not know your name, knave.” Answers the Captain.

*"You will never forget the name of Hunter *deep inhalation while running his hands up his torso* “Gooooldu-*

*Captain Sass hits a kick to the midsection midsentence and thrusts Hunter Goldust’s head into the piledriver position. He grabs his arms, Pedigree! Hunter Goldust is laid out in the middle of the ring. Tamer thinks it’s a good time to attack; he runs at Captain Sass but is caught and swung into a Bossman Slam! Evan comes to his pal’s aid, but Captain Sass is ready for him and tosses him into the air, catching him for an RKO on the way down!*

*Entrant 27#: EL CANUCK*

*The crowd and commentators go wild at the emergence of El Canuck. He has in his possession the capsule containing what we now know was lucky number twenty seven, originally intended for OMX. Nucks chucks the ball into the crowd and makes for the ring. There are several sets of eyes on the man, but none more so entranced than Captain Sass. The two stare down and are about to go at it when Jean Sasseau comes to him boss’s rescue. With a hard double axehandle over the back of Nucks he breaks his focus. Mr. L.K., Evan and Tamer all go after Captain Sass at once and the showdown we thought we were going to get is no more. Nucks manages to get the better of Jean and scoops him up on his shoulder; he walks to the ropes and literally dumps Jean out, right before Captain Sass’s eyes.*

*The Captain is undaunted. He gives Mr. L.K an elbow smash and a double ear slap for Tamer. He gives Evan a quick jab and hoists him on his shoulders in the Samoan Drop position, right next to the ropes….F5 OVER THE TOP ROPE! Evan hits the mats face first and bounces over onto his back, lying spread eagle as the commentary team tries to make sense of what they just saw.*

*The crowd, the referees outside, the commentators, the men in the ring, everyone is awestruck. Nucks and the Captain stare down once more; there is no stopping the confrontation now. Until the buzzer goes off that is.*

*Entrant #28: AFTERMATH*

*A man in a long, black, leather trenchcoat steps onto the ramp. He’s wielding a baseball bat and sporting a face of white paint with black symmetrical streaks on either cheek and around the eyes. He points the bat at Nucks and Nuck invites him on down. The brooding figure known only as Aftermath stalks his way to the ring slowly. Nucks has to turn his attention back to more pressing matters as Hunter Goldust comes at him. Captain Sass joins the strange one and they have Nucks cornered for the moment. Tamer and Jama try to help him out and the exhausted Jama finds himself staring down the practically inhuman endurance of the masked vigilante. Aftermath has dropped the coat and hit the ring, bat still in hand. He drives it into the gut of El Canuck and lifts it over his head to smash across Nuck’s back, but it’s grabbed out of his hands from behind.*

“Weaponry is not welcome in this melee, knave!” Captain Sass declares “Such dishonourable tactics are frowned upon and entirely unwelcome!” And with that the bat is tossed to the nearest referee outside and is whisked away from the ringside area.

*Aftermath is none too pleased with this and HE goes after Captain Sass. Hunter Goldust is being beaten back by the infuriated Tamer, L.K. is resting, Nucks is reeling, Morrison is battling with Quinn and the timer is winding ever closer to zero.*

*Entrant #29: CORPORATE META*

*An ominous music begins to play and Corporate Meta steps onto the entrance ramp. He removes his sportcoat and tie and hurries to join the fracas. L.K. is the first one to try the behemoth and he’s easily tossed over Meta’s shoulder and out of the ring for his efforts.*

*Quinn leaves Morrison where he’s lying in the corner upon sight of Meta and spins his hand in the air for the crowd. “Quinn Spin Kick!” He hits the ropes opposite Meta, bounds back, tries to hit the spinning heel kick but is caught by Meta. Meta cradles him in his arms, turns and dumps him straight out to the floor.*

*Nucks is leaning on the ropes adjacent to Meta, Hunter Goldust is nearby, he sees his chance to eliminate a major contender and runs at Nucks. But Nucks still has some fight left in him, he falls backward, dragging the top rope with him as Hunter Goldust swings wildly at the air and goes tumbling out of the ring.*

*The buzzer goes off for the last entrant and it’s no mystery who that will be:*

*Entrant #30: GREG MCNEISH*

*Greg waltzes out, proud as a peacock, showing off his ‘I’m a Paul Nemer Guy’ T-shirt for all to see. The vaunted last spot is all Greg’s for the taking. Only seven remain to oppose him and he seems very smug in knowing that. Greg takes his sweet time getting to the ring, stopping on the ramp along the way to observe the action going on within. When he arrives ringside he even takes the time to talk to the nearest referee about the goings on, despite the referee insisting that he enter the match. Greg stretches, carefully removes and folds his T-shirt and FINALLY decides to enter the match. His assistant is being stomped in the corner by Aftermath, but Greg doesn’t even so much as lift a finger to help off the start, instead grabbing Tamer from behind around the waist, spinning him out, DOOONUUUUTBAAAAAKEEEER!!!!!~ on Tamer. Greg calmly approaches Aftermath and tosses him into the turned back of Meta, who turns and starts swinging at him. Greg helps his assistant up and points out Tamer. Greg and Goober drag him body and bones to his feet, lift him up in a double atomic drop and toss him out.*

*Greg takes a moment to size up the remaining competition with his assistant. Morrison points out that with four others to help, that now might be the time to ensure Meta gets eliminated. Greg disagrees and reminds Morrison that he is a Paul Nemer guy and so is Meta, who is still battling it out with Aftermath. They next look at Captain Sass and Nucks trading punches, but ultimately they settle on Jama, leaning in a corner all on his own. They descend on him and start lacing into the weakened grappler. Jama tries to fight back, but he’s exhausted and can’t do much more than throw some slow forearms. The two of them manage to hoist him onto the apron, but he’s clinging to that top rope.*

*On the other side of the ring Meta lets out a big roar as he shoulders tackles Nucks out of the way and starts dishing out punishment on Captain Sass. He takes Cap by the throat and pushes him towards the rope, he tries to flip Sass up and over, but Cap wraps his arms around Meta’s arm. Sass’ feet leave the ground and he wraps them around the head of Meta, choking the air out of him while still clutching the arm. Meta is frantically trying to shake him off but Captain Sass is holding tight. Meta is slipping over the rope, Captain Sass lets go and lands safely on the apron, sliding under the bottom rope and back into the ring. He starts trying to lift the stunned Meta’s legs and dump him out of the ring. Aftermath joins in to help, Meta manages to get in a big elbow smash on Aftermath and send him back. Captain Sass is undeterred and keeps pushing, Meta headbutts him to end the assault. Aftermath comes out swinging again, but Meta is ready and grabs him by the throat. Aftermath is struggling as Meta turns him to the ropes, but it’s not enough, up he goes, CHOKESLAM out of the ring.*

*Meta shakes his head to get himself back in the game and he tracks down Captain Sass, who is battling with Nucks. Meta shoulder tackles Nucks again and goes right back to working on Captain Sass. He looks over his shoulder at Greg and Morrison. “You two, get over here!” He yells at them. They both leave Jama clinging to the ropes, but Jama grabs Morrison by the arm as he’s walking away, he yanks him back, grabs him in a front facelock and pulls him out over the ropes, letting him tumble on over him to the floor.*

*Greg looks back just a little too late to be of help and there’s nothing left for him to do but pick up his jaw off the floor. Jama gives Greg a sly grin, Greg runs at Jama, Jama with a shoulder to the midsection through the top and middle ropes, sunset roll over Greg’s back to get back into the ring. Jama tumbles into a neutral corner, away from Sass and Meta. Captain Sass ducks a clothesline attempt that sends Meta roaring towards a turning Greg. The pair collides and Meta falls across the top rope. Captain Sass dropkicks him, it’s enough, Meta bounces from the apron to the floor.*

*We’re down to our final four and it’s Greg, Captain Sass, Jama and Nucks.

*Captain Sass is nervously glancing at the other three, who are all looking amongst themselves. It is every man for himself, but Captain Sass presents a big target and they know it. All three rush him together. Captain Sass hits a spinning mid-kick on Greg and sends him back where he came from. Jama and Nucks set him up for a double suplex, he blocks and with sheer strength he takes both of them over in a suplex! Captain Sass goes after Greg, he tries hauling Greg from the corner, Greg has grabbed onto the coat Mr. Morrison has left behind, Sass drags him out by the feet, Greg has the clipboard, he cracks Sass in the head with it and papers go flying everywhere around the ring. In the confusion Greg manages to lay a few more blows on Captain Sass until the clipboard is broken in splinters. Greg discards the splintered remnants and tries to lift Sass up himself. Greg manages to drape him chest first across the ropes, but he’s running out of energy. Nucks is up, Greg calls on him, the lift him together and they manage to roll him over the rope, but Sass starts kicking back frantically. He kicks Nucks off, sending him down on his backside, Greg slips over with Captain Sass, they both take a tumble. MR. MORRISON! He’s back in the nick of time to catch Greg in his arms. It’s too late for Sass though!*

*Goober places Greg on the apron and rolls him under the bottom rope. Sass is furious and takes a wild swing at Morrison; he ducks and takes off running towards the backstage area, with Captain Sass close on his heels. We are now down to three!*

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*Goober places Greg on the apron and rolls him under the bottom rope. Sass is furious and takes a wild swing at Morrison; he ducks and takes off running towards the backstage area, with Captain Sass close on his heels. We are now down to three!*

*Greg, Nucks and Jama are all tired and taking their time on opposite sides of the ring. The three exchange glances, but neither wants to be the first to move. They all move cautiously towards one another in the center of the ring. Nucks is the first to make a move as he starts laying the boots to Greg. Greg falls towards the ropes. He thumbs Nucks in the eye, sending him reeling. Right behind Nucks is Jama though, and he dropkicks Greg with force, sending him out of the ring through the top and middle ropes. He lands hard, but he’s not out. Jama turns his attention to Nucks, they start swinging punch for punch at one another in slow enough fashion that the fans can roar along with every smack. Nucks seems to get the better of an exhausted Jama, he drives him towards the ropes and tries to toss him, Jama lands on the apron, one hand holding on the top rope still. Nucks is quick to try and pry it off, Jama with a big forearm with his free hand, Nucks falls back, he charges at Jama again, Jama grabs Nucks by the head and drops him across the top rope for a guillotine. Nucks is holding his throat and he goes to the adjacent ropes to recover. Greg to the apron, Greg grabs Nucks from behind and pulls him over the top ropes, Nucks hits the floor.*

*Greg re-enters the ring, Jama is in, he doesn’t see Greg, Greg grabs Jama by the head and tights, he tosses him. Jama barely manages to hang on, his feet are dangling and his two, utterly exhausted arms are cling to the top rope. Greg is celebrating early, thinking he’s won it. Jama gets his feet on the apron, he’s safe for now. Greg doesn’t hear the bell, he finally turns around. Greg charges for an elbow smash, Jama ducks and hits a shoulder tackle through the ropes. Greg grabs his abdominal section. Jama reaches over the top, pulls Greg up to the top rope, throws Greg’s arm over Jama’s neck, wraps his left arm around Greg’s head, grabs the tights with the right…Suplex over the top rope, Jama lands on the apron, Greg hits the floor.

Pyro and concussion blasts go off around the lighting rig above the ring as Jama rolls into the ring and gets up to his knees. The roar of the crowd is deafening, Jama can’t believe it. He came in at number two, twenty eight others came after him and he outlasted Every. Last. One. The commentators are ecstatic and Jama is beside himself with joy. He stands up on wobbly legs and raises his spent arms for the crowd.*

*The screen splits to show Jimmy watching on a big screen from a private room. He rubs his jaw thoughtfully and glances at the belt on his shoulder.*

*Jimmy’s split half of the screen goes to an irate Paul Nemer. “What?! Are you kidding me?! I gave HIM one of the worst possible numbers.” He turns to Meta and Morrison. “You!” He points at Meta, “And Your boss” he points at Morrison “Had handpicked numbers for the end and you STILL couldn’t win?!”

“But boss,” Meta begins to point out. “You gave Nucks the number that was supposed to be for OMX.”

“Jama was still in there for over an hour and you hairbrains couldn’t get rid of him coming it at the very end?!”

Mr. Morrison is calm and collect. “Sir, if I may speak on behalf of my employer?”

“What could you possibly have to say?!”

“This may not be as bad a situation as you might think.” Morrison suggests.

“How so?”

“Well, if we can’t beat Jimmy with one of our own, who’s to say we can’t support whomever it is that he finds against him?” Morrison folds his arms, quite sure of his proposal.

“We’ll have to talk more when Greg gets back here. In the meantime, hit the showers, because you all reek of disappointment.” Nemer slams his fist down on his desk, sending Morrison and Meta out of the room quickly. The camera in the office goes to black and Nemer grinds his teeth.

*Back in the ring Jama is still celebrating, climbing the four corners in turn to the continued applause of the audience. We see the exit tag in the corner of the screen with the commentators saying “Jama vs. Jimmy will be coming to you Next Sunday!”*

As of April 1st, 2016,the first entry in my Gold & Steel fantasy series, As Fierce as Steel, is on sale. Visit www.thegoldandsteelsaga.com for more!